Full Answer Section

• Risk factors:Characteristics or experiences that increase the risk of suicide.
• Protective factors:Characteristics or experiences that decrease the risk of suicide.
• Safety plan:A collaborative strategy to manage suicidal thoughts and urges.

Anna’s Case:

Unfortunately, information on Anna’s racial/cultural, gender identity, and sexual identity is missing. While addressing how these factors might influence an approach requires specific details, we can analyze her situation using available information.

Risk Factors:

• Mental health diagnoses:Chapter 7 mentions Anna seeking help for depression and anxiety. These are significant risk factors.
• Recent life stressors:She experienced a major life change (leaving a relationship) and feels alone, isolated, and hopeless.
• Previous suicide attempts:Though unclear, Chapter 7 emphasizes her past suicidal thoughts and self-harm, indicating a prior vulnerability.

Protective Factors:

• Seeking help:Her willingness to seek professional help demonstrates proactive coping.
• Social support:She has friends who care and a therapist, offering potential support systems.
• Open communication:Expressing suicidal thoughts to her therapist suggests a level of self-awareness and willingness to address the issue.

Lethality:

With limited information, determining the specific lethality is difficult. However, the presence of a plan (unspecified nature), recent stressors, and previous attempts raises concerns.

Assessment Tools:

Given the available tools in the webinar, we can consider:

• PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9):This self-report screener measures depression severity and could indicate Anna’s current mental state.
• C-SSRS (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale):This clinician-administered tool assesses specific suicide thoughts, plans, and intent, providing a more detailed picture.

Applying either tool requires Anna’s participation and clinical expertise. However, considering the risk factors and available information, using both tools would be advisable.

Safety Plan:

Here’s a safety plan incorporating both the Emotional Fire Safety Plan and Stanley and Brown’s approach, tailored to Anna’s situation:

1. Warning Signs:Recognize triggers like loneliness, overwhelming emotions, and relationship concerns.
2. Calming Strategies:Practice deep breathing, meditation, mindfulness exercises, or listen to calming music.
3. Reach Out:Call a trusted friend, therapist, or suicide hotline (listed in the plan).
4. Limit Access:Remove means of self-harm from the environment when feeling overwhelmed.
5. Engage in Activities:Engage in hobbies, exercise, or spend time with loved ones.
6. Professional Help:Schedule therapy appointments and attend support groups.

Cultural Considerations:

While information on Anna’s background is missing, it’s crucial to consider cultural factors in suicide assessment and intervention. Different cultures have varying beliefs and attitudes towards suicide, impacting help-seeking behaviors and support systems. If her background information becomes available, tailoring the safety plan and approach becomes crucial.

Conclusion:

Anna’s case highlights the importance of comprehensive suicide risk assessment, incorporating screening tools, clinical judgment, and cultural sensitivity. The suggested safety plan provides a starting point, but customization based on individual needs and cultural considerations is essential.